What actions should HR and business leaders take to curb mental harassment at work? Share your thoughts.
Want to watch some quality content from across the border? Here are 7 progressive Pakistani dramas on OTT that make the cut.
Impactful stories, empowering characters, important subjects…Pakistani dramas are nothing short of truth bombs. The dramas from across the border have always impressed us with their direction, narration, and conviction. Today, I am here to recommend 7 progressive Pakistani dramas which said ‘No’ to gender stereotypes and left us craving for more.
Written by Mustafa Afridi and directed by Saife Hassan, Sang-e-Mah is a social drama that brings out the horror of the evil practice ghag, where a man ‘lays claim’ on a woman he wants to marry. He does this by firing several gunshots in front of her house and calling out her name. It features the renowned musician Atif Aslam as Hilmand in the lead role alongside Kubra Khan, Naumaan Ijaz, and other popular faces.
Based in a village named Laspiraan, Sang-e-Mah focuses on smashing toxic masculinity and encourages women to speak up for themselves. This had to be the first name in the list of progressive Pakistani dramas.
It will be unfair if I don’t mention how Aslam steals the show with his performance. From the first episode to the last, he challenges his ‘king of romance’ image and takes us on a roller coaster ride of emotions. At times we hate Hilmand for being vengeful and taking wrong decisions. At other times, we empathize with him for going through a trauma. We might not like it when he makes sexist comments but we surely can’t hold back our tears when we see him cry helplessly.
The singer also leaves us mesmerized with his voice in the original soundtrack of the drama. It goes without mentioning that he’s a versatile artiste and does absolute justice to the composition.
Next on the list of progressive Pakistani dramas, comes the crime thriller Cheekh.
Directed by Badar Mehmood, it narrates Mannat’s (Saba Qamar) fight against her brother-in-law Wajih (Bilal Abbas Khan), who molests and kills her friend Nayab (Ushna Shah). It’s not easy for her to go against her family but she ensures that justice is delivered.
The drama also highlights how upper-class people try to cover criminal acts with their power. It brings us face-to-face with the reality of modern-day society. Does Mannat win the battle against her own family? Watch the drama to find out!
How can we talk of progressive Pakistani dramas and not mention Asim Abbasi’s Churails? He never disappoints us. His directorial Churails is a story of four women who set up an agency to expose husbands who cheat on their wives.
This Zee5 original celebrates independent and ambitious women. It’s also a treat to female friendships and expresses the importance of women supporting their peers.
Sinf-e-Aahan features eminent stars like Kubra Khan, Sajal Ali, Syra Yousuf, and others. It tells the story of a group of seven women coming from seven different backgrounds, with the aim to serve their nation as army officers and become ‘women of steel’. Their journey teaches us to stand up against the challenges life throws at us and keep fighting till we conquer all our fears.
https://youtu.be/52z7QRuaxpU
Written by Farjad Nabi and Meenu Gaur and directed by the latter, Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam is an anthology of six interconnected stories that keep you on the edge till the end. The crime thriller is a reminder that women don’t symbolise “weakness”. In fact, they can bring the most unexpected twists in your life in the most unpredictable ways.
Based on the life of the controversial social media personality, Qandeel Baloch, Baaghi is one of Saba Qamar’s most talked about performances. It’s the story of a village girl Fauzia (Saba Qamar) who dreams of becoming a model. What follows is her struggle to make an identity and how she deals with the difficulties that come her way. Most importantly, Baaghi is the story of a woman who prioritizes her ambition and how the patriarchal world tries to pull her down.
Mrs. & Mr. Shameem is a Zee5 original series featuring Saba Qamar and Naumaan Ijaz in pivotal roles. The show spreads awareness of issues that often remain under the covers, such as premarital pregnancy, postpartum depression, HIV, and homosexuality. It shatters gender stereotypes and changes the definition of “a man” for us. Before wrapping up the list of progressive Pakistani dramas, let’s take a moment to appreciate Ijaz and Qamar for their stellar performances and sizzling chemistry.
All of these dramas give us a message to believe in what we think is right and to fight against evil with utmost dedication. Which of the above progressive Pakistani dramas are you planning to watch first? Let us know in the comments.
I hold an MA degree in English Literature and I have a flair for writing. I mostly try to focus on issues faced by women on a regular basis and hope that one day the read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
I wanted to scream with excitement that my daughter chose to write about her ambition and aspirations over everything else first. To me, this was one of those parenting 'win' moments.
My daughter turned eight years old in January, and among the various gifts she received from friends and family was an absolutely beautiful personal journal for self-growth. A few days ago, she was exploring the pages when she found a section for writing a letter to her future self. She found this intriguing and began jotting down her thoughts animatedly.
My curiosity piqued and she could sense it immediately. She assured me that she would show me the letter soon, and lo behold, she kept her word.
I glanced at her words, expecting to see a mention of her parents in the first sentence. But, to my utter delight, the first thing she had written about was her AMBITION. Yes, the caps here are intentional because I want to scream with excitement that my daughter chose to write about her ambition and aspirations over everything else first. To me, this was one of those parenting ‘win’ moments.
It's well known how diplomatic and professional Priyanka Chopra is. Why would she want to stir the hornet’s nest when everyone’s happy in their personal space?
Priyanka Chopra (PC) did something completely out of character. She’s usually known for being articulate and mostly diplomatic, unless she wants to give sassy comebacks to people who try to put her on the spot or ‘in her place’.
She’s someone who’s never fought the establishment because she understands you can’t win against it anyway. But you can work around it to get your way to the top. She’s a thorough professional and team player.
For someone like Priyanka Chopra who’s never played victim so far, to admit being the scapegoat of petty politics in the Hindi film industry was refreshing. It’s good to see this unfiltered, vulnerable side of her for a change. PC revealed one of her reasons for shifting to Hollywood on the podcast, Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard.
Please enter your email address